Guestbook 2

I'll try not to be such a blabbermouth.

I'll try to explain--once-- so that everyone gets it. I did the Vampire Diaries and the Secret Circle books as "work for hire." I was a very new author who wanted to see my books in the bookstore. But the two books I had written were in hardback and just weren't selling. I never saw them in bookstores. So I agreed to do "work for hire"--meaning that I would write the books, but that a kind of company called a book packager would own all the important rights. Before I wrote the Vampire Diaries, no one (including the book packager who was selling the books to a publisher) knew that the Vampire Diaries would be such bestsellers. And certainly no one could know that twenty years later, after I had done many other books for a differemt publisher, that were wholly mine: The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, and the nine original Night World books, that there would be a world-wide craze about vampires. At first this simply seemed like a good thing, since I had a much better agent than twenty years ago when I wrote the original four books (up to Dark Reunion)) and she got me a new contract to do another trilogy, which will end with Midnight. But then, for some reason the book packagers who had let me write the first seven books--and the eighth, Phantom, decided to exercize their right to have an anonymous ghostwriter finish the series. This often happens (like with the Nancy Drew books, where many writers worked under the name Carolyn Keene) but it usually happens when a writer gets tired of writing, and usually the author is allowed to write outlines of the new books and have the ghostwriters work off these outlines. I don't know why, and I was given no reason, but the book packagers for whom I had done these vampire and witch books long ago, decided that they would rather do the outlines themselves, and have a ghost writer write them, than having me do it. They have the right to do this. But it is making me physically sick to go on explaining. I must put it behind me or I might get writer's block again. There is no possibility of fighting any longer. I'm so sorry, but I really have to get on with other things, other books. I don't have any choice. I hope you can understand this, Jade, and see that legally they have every right to do this. I would be really happy if you would try some of my other books, and don't forget that I wrote Midnight and the first draft of Phantom. If I were you, I would also check out the books that the ghost writer does. You will have all your familiar characters and you might like them more than you think. And this is the last time I will explain this.

No--but if you put your message into an email entering the Black Rose Contest, I can't open it. I don't touch those--they're handled by the attorney who randomly picks winners. So if you want me to answer, write in an email with any subject but Black Rose Contest.

(I admit; I am a little behind on emails. So much to do. Sorry.)

They're TV-tie-ins and not written (or seen, heard, or smelled) by me. Do the words "anonymous ghost writer" sound familiar?

all of her books are really good. when ever i start reading them i can seem to put them down. i relly recomend that you read the vampire diaries its really good

You've been unsubscribed.

Wow, you said a lot in a little package, and all of it wonderful! i know my readers are terrific, and the thought of them being as loyal as you say makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. I guess I want that more than anythihg: the chance to have another chance with everybody, and to prove that I can still create characters as interesting as Damon, Elena, Bonnie, Ash, ML, Quinn, Hannah, Julian, and so on. I think that you will like Sarah, Kierlan and Mal of Strange Fate. I won't have writer's block again, I promise. I also promise to do my very best to get Strange Fate to you. (What a waste: the time I spent writing Phantom!) And I thank you very humbly--I seem to be surrounded by angels. As for an adult series--there's nothing I wouild love more. TVD would have become more adult as the characters entered college. I am going to try to believe hard in myself and write one. I just have to wipe the image of shocked ten-year-olds out of my mind!

I am in complete agreement!!!

quote name="Creasy"]I really need to know what happens to Ash and M'lyn! I'm dying to know! I just read the story on here...and I feel like I'm being tortured. haha.

Me too Creasy! Im soo with you on that!

I think that's about as big a compliment as I've ever been given. Yes, it is. If I truly managed to ge by without offending one group or another (whilst giving Matt and Meredith their fair share of airtime, too) then I can die happy. Spin my shroud, dig me a hole.

No, really, I guess it's true that you should follow your heart in writing as well as in snything else, because that is what I did. I love all these characers so much--that I am finding it very hard to disengage with them. Even though I must.